(Hong Kong 1990)

Original Title: Jiang Shi Yi Sheng 殭屍醫生

 

Directed by Jamie Luk Produced by Chua Lam Action by Jamie Luk, Yuen Miu Starring: Bowie Lam, Ellen Chan, Sheila Chan, Crystal Kwok, David Wu, Lawrence Lau, James Wong, Ni Kuang, Peter Kjaer, Shing Fui On Reviewing: Eureka Video UK Blu-ray Release Genres: Comedy / Horror / Action

 

Rating: 4 / 5

Eureka Video UK Blu-ray Synopsis: While Hong Kong horror cinema is more often associated with the jiangshi or “hopping vampires” of Chinese legend, it has also embraced (and, more often than not, lampooned) the Western vampire tradition. One of the more outrageous films to bring European bloodsuckers to Hong Kong is Jamie Luk’s Doctor Vampire – a perfect blend of horror and comedy with shades of Vamp, Fright Night and, of course, Hong Kong’s own Mr Vampire series. While on vacation in Britain, surgeon Dr Chiang Ta-Tsung (Bowie Lam, Hard Boiled) wanders into a quaint rural pub in the grounds of a castle, where he quickly falls for hostess Alice (Ellen Chan, Wizard’s Curse). Despite several warning signs, the good doctor fails to realise that the establishment is staffed entirely by vampires – even after Alice bites him during a late-night tryst. Upon his return to Hong Kong and his long-standing love interest May Chan (Sheila Chan, Heroes Among Heroes), he attempts to return to his normal life. But soon he develops an aversion to sunlight and begins to crave blood, and things get even more complicated when Alice and her undead master – The Count (Peter Kjaer) – come looking for him… Offering a variation on the jiangshi craze kick-started by Encounter of the Spooky Kind and Mr Vampire, Doctor Vampire is one of a handful of films – along with Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires and Vampire vs Vampire – to bring Hollywood’s creatures of the night to Hong Kong. Eureka Classics is proud to present this ghoulish horror-comedy on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from a brand-new 2k restoration. (99 Mins)

 

Shout Factory US Blu-ray Synopsis: A doctor goes abroad to England and takes one major wrong turn when he finds himself in a brothel that doubles as a feeding spot for vampires. Escaping back to Hong Kong – and now carrying vampiric traits himself – the doctor must fend off the still-hungry vamps and their sinister master. (99 Mins)

 

Views: Doctor Chaing, who is on a business trip in England, finds himself stuck after his car breaks down. While in search for help, he unintentionally enters a vampire lair disguised as a brothel where he is soon seduced by a lady vampire named Alice – who quickly falls in love with him. But when Chiang returns home to Hong Kong, he begins showing bloodsucking traits which he tries to hide from his colleagues – although with very little luck. To make matters worse, Alice arrives in Hong Kong under orders by her Vampire Master to bring the doctor back to his English lair, with her bloodthirsty-fast kicking boss right behind her!

 

I first saw Doctor Vampire via the Shout Factory Blu-ray release which came as part of their first Golden Harvest Collection, and I thoroughly enjoyed if minute of it. But I have to admit, I'm super glad to have it as a stand-alone Blu-ray release courtesy of Eureka Video – because the film deserved it. In regard to the man behind Doctor Vampire, I've always enjoyed watching Jamie Luk on screen – his filmography offers over 160 titles, many of which came from the Shaw Brothers studios where he started followed by appearances in films such as Carry On Pickpocket (1982), Shaolin Drunkard (1983), Road Warriors (1987), Lee Rock (1991), Hero From Beyond The Boundary Of Time (1993), First Shot (1993), and played the over-the-top character of Rocky in Jackie Chan's Twin Dragons (1992) before returning with him for Rumble In The Bronx (1995) – but he's always caught my attention more so with his directorial efforts. While never perfect, it's clear that this is a man who just wants to have some fun. Making his directional debut with Love With The Perfect Stranger (1985) while at the Shaw Brothers studios, Luk would go onto deliver some pretty great titles including Reincarnation (1987), King Of Stanley Market (1988), the much loved Robotrix (1991), Bomb Disposal Officer Baby Bomb (1994), The Case Of The Cold Fish (1995), Dark War (2001) and this – of course; written, directed and choreographed by the man himself.

 

The interesting Bowie Lam leads the way as Dr. Chaing, and actually fits the part wonderfully while delivering a entertaining enough performance throughout. Having only been in the film industry for a few years before this, appearing in films such as People's Hero (1987) and On The Run (1988), Lam would go onto star in films such as Hard Boiled (1992), The Sting (1992), and Mr. Vampire '92 (1992) a couple of years after, followed by Project S (1993), The Most Wanted (1994), Heaven Can't Wait (1995), Lawyer Lawyer (1997), The Crossing 1 & 2 (2014), Bleeding Steel (2017) and many more. Back at his place of work in Hong Kong, Bowie is joined by comedy duo Lawrence Lau and David Wu – both of whom also play doctors. While popular character actors, it's worth noting that Wu Dai Wai has quite the CV behind him creating the music for almost 50 films, has been the editor of almost 80 starting with Shaw Brother's Police Force and The Spiritual Boxer in 1975 through to Over My Dead Body in 2023, with titles like Peking Opera Blues (1986), The Big Heat (1988), Once A Thief (1991), Hard Boiled (1992) and most of Ronny Yu's finest works – including the fun Warriors Of Virtue (1997). The fantastic and hugely talented James Wong stars as their chain-smoking, foul-mouthed hospital manager, while the lovely Crystal Kwok appears as a prude head nurse who keeps everyone on their toes but still delivers a few laughs. The always enjoyable Sheila Chan – who had only been in the film business for about a year before yet managed to star in 10 films before this including hits like Stars & Roses (1989), Prince Of The Sun (1990), Mortuary Blues (1990), The Outlaw Brothers (1990), Her Fatal Ways (1990), and All For The Winner (1990) – stars as one of Kwok's nursing colleagues (and housemate) and Lam's unfortunate girlfriend.

 

Peter Kjaer, a random westerner who had donned a headband as one of the ninjas in the IFD classics Ninja Operation: Knight & Warrior (1986), Ninja Operation 5: Godfather The Master (1986), and Ninja Commandments (1987), stars as The Count – vampire master to a castle full of fanged hookers who does a great job in the comedy and action department. While he's not a top actor by any means, delivering his role way over the top like most Westerners in Hong Kong cinema at that time, he definitely brings some fun energy to the character! One of his hookers is played by the lovely Ellen Chan who stars as Alice, the lady vampire that falls in love with the doc and follows him back to Hong Kong. My first experience of Ellen was in the Jackie Chan produced Inspector Wears Skirts (1988) on UK video as Top Squad back in the early 90s. Soon after, I caught her in Aces Go Places 5 (1989), Tiger On The Beat 2 (1990) and On Parole (1993), but it would be sometime later until I saw her again in Exiled (2006), The Underdog Knight (2008), Naked Soldier (2012), and 7 Assassins (aka) Glory Days (2013). Here, as Alice, Chan is as beautiful as always and fantastic in her role. Of course, credit must be given to one-time-actress Lorraine Kibble who appears as The Count's assistant and bit of muscle on the side, getting stuck into her role when it comes to the action and making an impression in her first and last Hong Kong production. The great late Shing Fui On cameos as a triad boss who brings a lot of business to the hospital, while Sammo Hung's younger brother, Lee Chi Kit, cameos as his thug. And finally, the incredible and prolific Helena Law also makes an quick appearance as another patient in waiting...

 

Shot between England and Hong Kong, albeit with some clever editing of locations from castles to pub interiors, and Hong Kong countryside to English landmarks, Doctor Vampire is an absolute joy to watch. The film concludes with a mental showdown in the hospital pitting the green-eyed vampiric doctor against The Count in a mix of martial arts and giant syringes, before they interrupt a Chinese opera performance that sees the 3 doctors harness the power of the Gods and take things to a whole other level! It's mad, it's over the top, and it's funny. But it's also a prime example of how unique Hong Kong cinema was and never fails to entertain. While there have been a few sightings of a Count Dracula in Hong Kong cinema over the years, such as Shaw Brothers' classic Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974), The Dragon Lives Again (1977), Kung Fu From Beyond The Grave (1982), Vampire Vs Vampire (1989), and A Bite Of Love (1990), none of them make as much of an impact as Doctor Vampire which is a film I recommend you try sinking your teeth into!

 

Overall: Often hilarious and utterly bonkers, Doctor Vampire is a prime example of what made Hong Kong cinema of this era so different, and highly entertains!

 

Eureka Video Blu-ray Extras: 2K Restoration, Audio Commentary by Frank Djeng & John Charles, Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder & Arne Venema, Interview with Author Stacey Abbott, Video Essay by Mary Going

 

Shout Factory Blu-ray Extras: Audio Commentary by James Mudge, Interview with Actor Peter Kjaer, Interview with Sean Tierney, Interview with Gilbert Po, Theatrical Trailer, Image Gallery

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